a poem and two paintings

Here is a little poem for a today:

           The sudden heavy rain-

          “its like a waterfall now”

          she said looking out

          through the plate glass windows

          of the coffee shop.

 I've always been intrigued with the challenge of painting a mountain in a small two dimensional space that does more than just create a realistic illusion.  I don't know how many times I have taken photos of mountains only to be disappointed with the little 4x6 glossy print in my hand.  It always fails to convey their massive presence.  So here are two more attempts.  The first is from our trip to the Isle of Skye in Scotland a year ago, and the second is from Skagit Valley, Washington State where once a year fields of tulips blaze color below snow capped mountains.  

Mountains of the Mind 2 22x28

 

Mountains of the Mind 3 22x28

new work

                                                                             12x24

another painting inspired by my trip a year ago to Skagit Valley, Washington State

a work in progress

I find it interesting to see a work take shape.  I usually begin with some pencil sketches, then a small pastel sketch, sometimes a larger one.  Here is the story of a painting of mountains and flower fields in Skagit Valley, Washington State:

the pastel sketch, 4" x4"

the painting begins in acrylic paint over a canvas I have toned the same color as the pastel paper, 24x36

developing the clouds

and the fields...

Now I switch to oil paint and begin working again on the clouds and the treeline and finally adding some foreground detail

Finished!

two new paintings

"Red Barn", 20x20 oil

Skagit Valley Barn 7, 24x36 oil

sketch

Skagit Valley pastel study, 12x16

skagit valley barns

I went to Skagit Valley, Washington for the flower fields and was blessed to arrive at the peak of the tulip season.  After taking about 500 pictures of flowers I looked around and noticed the amazing barns.  I wasn't sure what I would do with them but I snapped about 20 barn photos too:

Inspiration!

"Skagit Valley Barn 1, 30x30